Friday, July 28, 2006

Whistleblowers, or narcissistic traitors?

A former staffer at NSA has been subpoenaed for his alleged role in leaking classified information relating to NSA surveillance programs. As it happens, Russ Tice, the accused leaker, is a member of National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (who'd have thought that "whistleblowers" had their own "coalition"?), the member roll of which contains a considerable list of "former" this and "retired" that. I read "former" and "retired" as "fired" and "forced out" respectively. Or possibly just plain disgruntled.

Notable among the "formers" is one Dan Ellsberg, listed as "Former Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA), DOD". You may recall that one Daniel Ellsberg was responsible for the "Pentagon Papers" leak to the New York Times during the Vietnam war. Are they the same Danny Boy? I'm not sure, but it seems likely.

While some may find their willingness to martyr themselves admirable, I find it merely criminal. This Tice guy signed enough non-disclosure paperwork to gag an elephant, yet he suddenly feels persecuted because he's chosen to break the law.

Whistle-blowing? Bullshit. This is nothing more than politically motivated self promotion. And nothing less than illegal disclosure of national security information.

Besides, no group with a worthwhile agenda calls itself a "coalition".

Update 29 Jul 2006 @ 08:45: According to this ABCNews.com item from January, Tice was dumped by NSA for being a head case:

The NSA revoked Tice's security clearance in May of last year based on what it called psychological concerns and later dismissed him. Tice calls that bunk and says that's the way the NSA deals with troublemakers and whistleblowers.